Bruce Ashcroft
OUR BELOVED BRUCE HAS GONE (2010-14.8.2018)
He was a lovely, big, thick set Labrador with big paws and a big heart who was wonderful with all people. Bruce was an amazing companion and an equal in our family. He was very calm, very relaxed and loved pottering but wasn’t in need of huge amounts of exercise. He just wanted love and he was non-stop joy in our lives. Bruce was very much a one off and we know no dog will ever be him again.
He was all of our best friends and he just adored being part of our family. He adored our kids and they adored him. He was very patient with them. The kids developed a habit of “bumping” his nose and feet as a kind of sleep therapy. Despite the possibility of it being uncomfortable, he never once asked them to stop because he seemed to know that it was their way of being close and going to sleep so he, dutifully, obliged until we stepped in to stop them.
That pretty much describes Bruce to a tee if I’m honest. He was utterly selfless, always thinking about others, making sure they were okay and always there to lend a heavy head on your knees if you were upset or join in with a smile if you were happy.
You could always tell when he was at his most relaxed (which was pretty much 24/7 to be honest) but it most noticeable when everyone was in the house, the kids were in bed, he had been for his little pootle, the TV was on and he was on his bed, cooking next to the wood burner and producing those intoxicating biscuit paw smells. Only then would you hear him truly relax, his breathe getting deeper, knowing that everyone was safe and his job was done for the day.
Most days, Bruce came to work with me and settled in for the day. He wasn’t fussed about other dogs whether he was outside or in the office with me at work. He loved his food but never resource guarded. He snored like crazy (which I loved) and he was our giant bear.
The whole office loved him. He would get non-stop love every single day from everyone here and all of us at GO Outdoors in Sheffield can feel a very large Bruce shaped hole in their lives. The amount of people who have come up to me and told me he was special has truly blown me away. His nickname at work was “Therapy Dog” and people would always come over to him after a stressful day at work and give him some love. He loved the attention but, most importantly, he knew that people felt better after seeing him and that made him complete.
He was an amazing dog. Considering his awful first 4 years of life, he was the most balanced and caring being I have ever come across. After so much mistreatment and lack of love, his heart was clearly bursting to give someone his everything and we are truly blessed that we were chosen by IRR to be the recipients of Bruce’s special love. Perhaps, in the end, his heart just ran out of it and he realised it was time for him to go. He was pure love.
We are utterly bereft here. It is still so very very raw. The pain is very real and we are often, at times, inconsolable. The waves of grief are, truly, the worst we have ever experienced. He was taken away from us too soon. We are just trying to make sense of if all. Surely he wasn’t ready to go when he had so much love to give to everyone and so much of his very large life left to love.
We will never find another dog like him. He is irreplaceable and that thought and realisation truly scares us. We just hope one day we can heal and let another wonderful Labrador
Retriever into our lives to enrich us and us them. We cannot thank Irish Retriever Rescue enough for giving us the gift that was Bruce. He made, and will continue to make, our lives truly wonderful with the very best of memories. Thank you so much IRR with love from Mark, Sara, Zach, Noah and especially Bruce x”
We can’t thank the family enough for all they did for Bruce. Due to the circumstances surrounding Bruce’s rescue and all the time that passed before he could be adopted, we were even more involved in his life than we normally are so we really do feel their pain and would like to send then all some comforting cyber hugs.
We think Mark’s words are beautiful and it is clear to hear how much everyone loved our gorgeous boy. The pictures are gorgeous too and it is easy to see from them what a happy life he had albeit way too short.
We are sure, one day, when the time is right, Bruce will thoroughly approve when Mark and family eventually find a perfect companion similar to him and it is very possible, with his new angel status, he will even have a paw in the choice for them.
You've gone from us, we miss you so
Your coat looked dark against the snow
Your big brown eyes with gentle gaze
Your loss has left us in a daze.
Alone I amble down the road
No-one to share my heavy load
Just one more day with you I crave
One special hug you always gave
Our days were always full of fun
You loved to stroll, no need to run
Always faithful by my side
Matching me on every stride
One more look I yearn to see
One moment shared with you and me
One gentle kiss upon my face
Remembering, I slow my pace
My eyes well up, here come the tears
Where are you now to quash my fears?
I'd swap a fortune, that's so true
For just a little sign from you
I pause and close my reddened eyes
I feel you near, I tell no lies
On my face I feel your kiss
Am I dreaming? What is this?
My eyes wide open now, I see
A pure white feather sent to me
I knew that you would send a sign
Of love forever yours and mine
REMEMBERING THE EVENTS OF 2015
We don’t know why but, for some reason, the puppy farmer simply dumped all 12 of his dogs on the Romanian rescue. We do know all the dogs were in very poor condition and some had to stay longer in Romania to try to get them fitter for travel. We had helped the rescue in the past and we simply couldn’t turn our backs and ignore their plea for assistance.
As one of the stud dogs on the puppy farm, Bruce probably got treated a bit better than the poor breeding bitches but it still wouldn’t have been a great life by any stretch of the imagination and that could provide a possible clue to why his life was shorter than we all would have wanted for him.
Dear Bruce certainly left a wonderful legacy behind him. Bruce’s Little Bonuses
It was due to the overcrowded rescue kennels, that mostly had only inexperienced but willing helpers, which lead to Bruce managing to become a dad to 13 amazingly healthy puppies, one a black Labrador and twelve being Golden Retriever x Labradors .
It was a chaotic time for everyone involved with unexpected babies being born shortly after their arrival in the UK but it was so worthwhile. We had known it would be difficult enough having to find homes for the 12 adult dogs let alone 13 unexpected puppies on top and not to mention, of course, all the needy dogs that were still being rescued from Ireland.
Still, nobody regrets for a moment taking on the task especially knowing what a wonderful dog Bruce turned out to be and how much he deserved the fabulous home that he found.
WE HAVE LOST OUR BELOVED BRUCE (14.8.2018)
Mark broke the dreadful news to us, “On Tuesday 14th August, our gorgeous bear Bruce passed away after a very short illness. IRR did an amazing job in rescuing him from Romania. It was far too soon for him to cross Rainbow Bridge and we miss him terribly”.
EARLY HISTORY
Bruce is a big, male Yellow Labrador who was approximately 4 years old when he was brought to the UK by IRR having been rescued from a high kill Pound in Romania along with 11 other dogs by a dedicated Romanian rescue.
There were 2 Labradors and 10 Golden Retrievers. As a routine measure all the dogs were tested for heartworm. Some were clear but, sadly, others needed medication and couldn’t be neutered. Those who were given the all clear were able to be neutered and they came immediately to the UK as they all had their Pet Passports but the others had to stay a little longer so their treatment could begin.
FOSTER ASSESSMENT
PERSONALITY: His fosterer says ” What a great dog! From the moment I picked him up he has been so good. He was confused for the first 24 hours but today has seen him come out of his shell and his real personality has started to come through.
I have had dogs all my life and Bruce is one of the best. He’s calm, relaxed and has been great with my grandchildren and with friends and family from the start . He is just a lovely gentle dog. He loves a cuddle and would lie and be stroked all day”.
GENERAL HEALTH: He is thin so he is being fed three times a day to get him up to weight. He will be visiting the vet for a general check up.
SOCIAL LEARNING
Housetraining: Apart from marking in the first few minutes he has been good. You can tell when he wants to go out as he goes to the door.
Travel: In the car he just lies down and goes to sleep.
Commands and food: He knows sit, stay and wait which is very useful as he was so hungry and thirsty he launched himself at the food and water bowl!
Leadwalking: On his walk he ignored cyclists, runners and only said hello if people approached him.
It didn’t take long for him to learn and, after just a couple of days, he sat and waited for his food. You can take his bowl away from under his nose and he doesn’t object but, being a typical Lab, if he gets the chance, he would pinch food.
Separation: His fosterer hasn’t gone out for long periods but he has a kong with healthy treats inside for when she goes out and he seems quite happy to play with it and then sleep or look out of the window.
Children: He has only just begun to know what toys are for but has been brilliant with the fosterer’s 3 and 6 year old grand children. He won’t even take the toy from them and had to be persuaded to play by the 6 year old grandson.
Dogs: He wants to be friendly with other dogs.
Cats: He is not so sure about cats. The only time he has barked has been at a cat crossing the garden and a horse in the field but he learns quickly, passing the horse today, he just gave it a glance and carried on.
BRUCE’S DREAM HOME
A warm bed, a full tummy and loads of cuddles would be heaven for Bruce. In return his forever humans would have a devoted and very loving canine companion who would be simply the best.
STAYING CLOSE TO HOME (March 2015)
Bruce went to his Forever Home with Mark and Sara and the family
